Tag Archives: Libraries

Libraries

Winter in Maine – in the library

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People often wonder what life is like on an island in the winter – “what do you do out there?” Don’t you feel isolated?” “I couldn’t live on an island in the winter. ” If only they knew how much there is to do and see, with the library at the center of activities on the island.

Visiting the library in the winter is such a visual treat, with so many warm touches. The little glass exhibit case currently has an exhibit of mugs belonging to Maxine Harmon, herself a skilled ceramicist. In the Dodwell gallery, there is a lovely display of flowering bulbs such as amaryllis and paper whites, lovingly tended by Robin, one of our librarians, who is a master gardener. At the entrance to the library is a wonderful display related to knitting, complete with yarn and needles, and beautiful and inspiring books. And we now have, just in time for Valentine’s Day, a sweet exhibit of wedding history in the Dodwell Gallery, “To love and to cherish – more than a century of wedding dresses and their stories,” with brides ranging from many years ago up until recently, including Nancy Jordan, Marci Train, Beth Marchak, and Emma Brundige. The exhibit include wedding gowns and dresses, photographs, and invitations.

Marine Harmon’s mug collection
Beautiful knitting books!
And all you need to get started on a knitting project!
Wedding exhibit with accompanying plants and flowers, decorated with white ribbon
Beth Marchak’s wedding dress
Nancy Jordan’s wedding photos

Beyond all these visual displays, there is a jigsaw puzzle to work on, and a relaxing area to read. Light comes pouring into the big windows, bringing an extra layer of warmth to a chilly winter’s day. And of course books, games, and jigsaw puzzles to bring home to enjoy in a cozy nook or by the fire.

In addition, there are fun activities to enjoy in the library, such as “Tacos and trivia,” “Love letters to Long Island,” and jigsaw puzzle competitions. There’s also a monthly book group, and a weekly knitting group. Indeed, if one feels the need to be someplace cheerful and warm, and spending time with kindred spirits, the library is the place to be – especially on a winter’s day.

Waiting for summer visitors
Books, Libraries

Giving thanks – for the gift of books and reading!

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When November arrives and it gets colder and darker, most of us begin to either head south or turn inwards. Turning inwards can mean different things to different people, but in this season of Thanksgiving, it seems like a perfect time to give thanks for many of our island blessings, including:

-The Long Island Community Library. This beautiful library was lovingly and thoughtfully brought into being over 20 years ago, led by a committee with Nancy Jordan at the helm. Designed by architect Frank Oliva, this light-filled and comfortable space is a wonderful haven in the summer for holidaying island families, as well as a place of warmth and coziness in the winter (especially during a power outage). It’s not only a place to find books, but a gathering space where one can enjoy working on puzzles or reading in the nook.

Our library is so inviting in the evening

-The Long Island Community Library board, including the Friends of the Long Island Community Library. This passionate group of folks, ably led by Katie McGarry, meets regularly to discuss the needs of the library, and plans all the great events and fundraising activities that bring us joy (and funding). I’m also grateful for all the volunteers that make the library run as many hours as it does.

The library board gathers to celebrate volunteers

-The Long Island Community Library librarians. Our co-library directors, Robin Goodell and Katie Norton, keep our library running smoothly, with grace and expertise. From the outside looking in, they make it look easy! They build on a tradition created by previous librarians, including Paula Johnson, Nancy Jordan, and Connie Brayley.

-The LICL book group. Started a few years ago, this core group of 10-15 readers gathers once a month to talk about a variety of books, chosen democratically among our group. From time to time we’ll bring in a guest author, or just an expert in the subject of the books. We even have dedicated folks who come from off island to join us, just for the book group.

The book group not only reads books together but we celebrate friends!

-The small glass case, currently curated by Karen Boss. This case is a great way to showcase community treasures, whether an individual’s collection, or a “group show.”

Treasures on view, on both sides of the case!

-The Dodwell Gallery, which brings to us larger works, in a similar vein – a solo show, such as the current show by Jennifer Wood, or a group of artwork with a theme, such as this summer’s nature photography show. There is always something visual to enjoy on a visit to the library, thanks to our current curatorial team, Jeanne Handy and Richard Mitchell.

Beautiful exhibits to brighten our days

-Our community of readers. When we first moved here it was such fun to find books in our mailbox, and share recommendations with each other. Living on an island is a perfect place to be a reader, and those of us who are commuters especially love having that built in reading time on the ferry. Besides the Long Island Community Library, we have avenues to books, such as little free libraries, and the Evergreen United Methodist Church library. It’s a joy to live in a community where if the conversation dwindles, we can always talk about books!

Our cozy and comfortable reading nook, full of Maine books

Happy Thanksgiving to all! And happy reading in the winter months to come, wherever you are.

Books, Libraries, Music

Art and Soul 2024

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It’s that time again! The biannual fundraiser of the Long Island Community Library. Where else can you buy books, flowers, and baked goods, as well as bid on artwork and purchase raffle tickets for beautiful themed baskets created by island organizations and individuals. There were even opportunities to listen to great music and create paper flowers. Mostly it’s a fine time to gather with island friends and neighbors and celebrate our wonderful island library, on a gorgeous July (20th) day.

Libraries

A fellow island library – Matinicus Island

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My bucket list includes a visit to Matinicus Island. Some people think Long Island is the wild frontier, but of all the populated Maine islands, Matinicus seems like the one that is especially on the edge of civilization.

A recent article in the Bangor Daily News, more about banned books than about the library, brought to light this small island’s tiny library. It was picked up by the Smithsonian magazine, NBC news, NPR, Portland Press Herald. One of the best articles is by author Eva Murray, on the Maine Boats website.

I shared the Bangor Daily News article with some of my fellow LICL board members, and we thought that the Matinicus Library’s experience mirrored ours, almost 35 years ago, when we started up our island library. (See our blog post about our own humble beginnings)

The Matinicus Island Library was founded in 2016, beginning its life in an 8×10 foot shed. In 2020 they added an adjoining shed. They now have a children’s room. The library is run solely by volunteers, like the Long Island Community Library. As Eva Murray says, “Matinicus is neither stylish nor convenient as a tourist destination,” which makes it all the more appealing. Hopefully they will someday welcome this fellow islander (and librarian) to their beloved island library.

For information, see their Facebook page.

Libraries

Mobile librarians in fiction

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There seems to be spate of novels recently about mobile librarians – that is, librarians not in the traditional “brick and mortar” library. Of course, this is nothing new – years ago Masha Hamilton wrote “The camel bookmobile,” about a bookmobile in Kenya. I recently read, “The library at the edge of the world,” by Felicity Hayes-McCoy, which is about an Irish librarian who drives a bookmobile, from time to time.

Closer to home, and more recently, one can find both “Giver of stars,” by JoJo Moyes and “The book woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson, novels centered on the Kentucky Pack Horse library service.  

In researching this blog, I came across Mary Lemist Titcomb (May 16, 1852–June 5, 1932), a librarian who developed an early American bookmobile and helped establish a county library system in Washington County, Maryland. A recent book about her, “Library on wheels : Mary Lemist Titcomb and America’s first bookmobile” by Sharlee Glenn, tells more of her story. We have Mary Lemist Titcomb to thank for this wonderful concept of bringing books to the people!


Books, Libraries

Tea and libraries

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I just came across this – how exciting to combine two of my favorite things: tea and libraries ! (for a good cause)

Friend —

We are excited to partner with Arbor Teas, a family-owned organic tea company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan to create a new way of supporting libraries in the United States. You can now purchase tea for yourself, friends, family, and for your staff at your office through Arbor Teas and they will donate 10% of each purchase if you use the coupon code EveryLibrary at checkout. That means you can give the gift of tea AND give American communities the gift of literacy and learning through libraries.
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Buy your teas from Arbor Teas this Holiday Season and use the coupon code EVERYLIBRARY to support libraries in the United States.
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“Our primary focus is delivering the highest quality organic teas as sustainably as possible, but underpinning this is a passion to use our success to do good and give back,” said Aubrey Lopatin, co-founder at Arbor Teas. “That’s why Arbor Teas is excited to become a sustaining contributor to EveryLibrary’s efforts to rally communities in support of libraries facing funding challenges.”
Arbor Teas first partnered with the library community to support the Ann Arbor District Library’s Summer Game 2017, a points-based program that rewards reading and library use. EveryLibrary and Arbor Teas view this promotion as the beginning of an ongoing partnership which may include other charitable programs in the future.
Individuals looking to support this new partnership can shop online at www.arborteas.com for certified organic teas as well as teaware, gifts and tea-infused sweets. At checkout, enter EveryLibrary as the coupon code, which will remain active indefinitely as a means to generate ongoing funding for library campaigns. One-time and sustaining donations can also be made directly to EveryLibrary at: action.everylibrary.org/donate.

More information is available at: https://www.arborteas.com/everylibrary

Libraries

Adirondack libraries

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A recent vacation in the Adirondack mountains of New York found us, as usual, visiting libraries.

Some we only saw from the outside: the lovely stone library in Brandt Lake is no longer used as a library, but offers a picturesque photo opportunity.

Adirondack libraries - Brandt Lake

Lake Placid’s library was located on the main street, and offered a box of “free” stuff on the porch steps.

Adirondack libraries - Lake Placid

Raquette Lake’s library had steps from the water and tucked in a grove of trees.

Adirondack libraries - Raquette Lake

But some libraries we were able to visit inside. One was the Adirondack Museum’s library.  Yes, the museum had closed for the season a month earlier, but thanks to a brilliant tip from a friend, I had previously e-mailed the librarian, Dr. Jerold Pepper, to ask for a tour. Jerry not only showed us his wonderful library full of great books and fabulous manuscripts, highlighting such characters as Winslow Homer and the Roosevelts, but he also gave us a behind the scenes tour of the closed exhibits, including boats, carriages, and sleds. There are some interesting commonalities between Maine and the Adirondacks, including history and art. (Both Rockwell Kent and Winslow Homer spent time in Maine and the Adirondacks). We also enjoyed Jerry’s perspective on life in that region, an area “forever wild.”

We also stopped into The William Chapman White Memorial Room/Adirondack Research Center in the basement of the Saranac Lake Free Library, and chatted with the slightly overwhelmed looking librarian, who was cataloging tuberculosis patient cards. Saranac Lake was known as “the Western Hemisphere’s foremost center for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis,” from the 1890s through 1950s.

Adirondack libraries - Saranac Lake

Both libraries gave us a glimpse into the history of the area. Visiting libraries on vacation can be a great opportunity to get a flavor of the community, whether exploring exhibits or meeting people in the community, including visitors who come to our own island library.

Books, Libraries

Little Free Library

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In writing my series on Casco Bay Island libraries, it occurred to me that some of the islands, such as the Diamonds, need a “Little Free Library” to make books more accessible in their communities. What is a Little Free Library, you may ask? According to good old Wikipedia, Little Free Libraries are a community movement in the United States and worldwide that offers free books housed in small containers to members of the local community. They are also referred to as community book exchanges, book trading posts, and pop-up libraries.Little Free Library in Seattle

The idea was popularized in Hudson, Wisconsin when Todd Bol mounted a wooden container designed to look like a school house on a post on his lawn as a tribute to his mother, who was a book lover and school teacher. Bol shared his idea with his partner Rick Brooks who found many efficient ways to spread the word, and the idea spread rapidly. Library owners can create their own library box, usually about the size of a doll house, or purchase one from the website. Libraries may be registered for a fee and assigned a number at the organization’s website. Libraries can be found through their GPS coordinates. Owners receive a sign that reads “Little Free Library”. They often have the phrase, “Take a Book. Leave a Book.”[3][4]

In Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, the village is requiring a church to take down their Little Free Library, worrying about inappropriate material being placed and saying that there was no point in a Little Free Library due to the public library. [5] Whitefish Bay is, in addition, denying permission to any family that asks to have a Little Free Library placed in their front yard.[5]

Libraries have been donated to rural areas that have no libraries of their own, or that have been ravaged by disasters. As of February 2013, all 50 states and 40 countries worldwide have been involved in the literary program. There are currently 5000 registered Little Free Libraries in the world, with an estimated 1000 unregistered.[6]

Each Library is uniquely built incorporating materials from the community it is located in.

According to the official website, the closest ones to Long Island are in Falmouth, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth.

Of course, on Long Island we are blessed to have our beautiful library, open every day of the week, but for many communities, that are either too small or seasonal to sustain a library, or those that are unable to afford a library due to economics, this is a fun and easy way to share literature with your neighbors.

For more information see:

http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/

[photo is of a Little Free Library in the Wedgewood neighborhood in Seattle, taken by Nancy N. in October 2013)

Books, Libraries

Libraries on the Diamond Islands

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Next, we head to the Diamond Islands to see what they offer their communities as far as libraries. On Great Diamond Island, Elwell Hall, in the village, has a small library, created by Jane Laughlin. It’s seasonal, open in the summer to Diamond Island Association members and their guests, when the hall, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, is open. It’s mostly items donated, including cookbooks, fiction, and children’s books.Diamond Island Rose

On the fort side, there is a small library in the Diamond Cove Association building. Both of these libraries are informal, without a checking out system. Mostly a book swap of sorts. On Little Diamond, there is no physical place for a library, but people do read a lot in the summer, and have an informal book swap.

So, if there is a need for a good book to read, after the ferry leaves, there are opportunities available on Little and Great Diamond Islands.

Books, Libraries

Cliff Island’s library: The Stone Library

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Cliff Island’s library is probably the only official library in Casco Bay that is housed in a classic turn-of-the-century cottage, built in 1907. Perched on a hillside, just beyond the community hall, which houses the post office and historical society, this beautiful library was named after Floraetta Stone (The Stone Library), a co-founder of the library (1907) and the Cliff Island Library Club which still operates the library. The library offers services in the summer only (although has been known to be open in the winter in the past). The paid librarian, Amy Lent, is also the postmaster (a true Mainer!). Although the library is technically a membership library, it balances being a public library by offering services to anyone who needs it. Books, books-on-tape, CDs, DVDs are offered, as well as classic Maine books – all of which can be accessed through the Cliff Island Stone Librarylibrary’s automated catalog. There is even a teen room. Best of all is a wonderful porch where one can sit and enjoy reading, while gazing between the trees at the water. What more could one want!